The International Olympic Committee is desperately hoping that the opening of the Milano Cortina Winter Games on 6th February will not be spoiled by the shouts of anti-Americanism, but will be an expression of admiration for all the sportsmen of the world.

JD Vance, the US Vice President, and Marco Rubio, who is the Secretary of State, should be present at the stadium in San Siro.

Their reception by the spectators may be feared to be booed, including the American team, and the incorporation of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol officers has been a point of outrage in Italy.

The US State ​Department Diplomatic Security Service will be supported by the Homeland Security Investigations division of ICE during the February 6-22 Olympics in Milano Cortina.

The ICE and Border Patrol officers have received widespread criticism in the US regarding their implementation of the immigration crackdown of President Donald Trump, and most recently, the news that ICE would be working at the Games caused outrage in Italy and resulted in protests.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry addressed a press conference on Wednesday, asking people to see the opening ceremony as a moment to be respectful towards one another, when asked whether she was concerned that American athletes/officials would be booed.

The presence of ICE agents in the country has been severely criticised by Italian politicians, although it was assured that there is nothing peculiar about the deployment, a fact that clearly illustrates how the image of the US has been tarnished over the last few months.

“When we visited the (Olympic) village that reminded us best how we ought to be,” Coventry said. “You can see sportsmen of all walks of life. Nobody is inquiring about the country they are in or their religion. They are all just hanging out.”

“It was a true chance to put into perspective how we could be and, personally, I hope that the opening ceremony will do that and that will be a reminder of how we could be to everyone.”

Vance will bring his wife, the second lady of the United States, Usha, to the ceremony. Rubio, the US Ambassador to Italy, Tilman Fertitta and various other former Olympic champions will also come with the delegation.